EP0630340A1 - Modular filling and storage system. - Google Patents

Modular filling and storage system.

Info

Publication number
EP0630340A1
EP0630340A1 EP93906692A EP93906692A EP0630340A1 EP 0630340 A1 EP0630340 A1 EP 0630340A1 EP 93906692 A EP93906692 A EP 93906692A EP 93906692 A EP93906692 A EP 93906692A EP 0630340 A1 EP0630340 A1 EP 0630340A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
box
edge
adjacent
catch
wall
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP93906692A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0630340B1 (en
Inventor
Paul Richmond Billingham
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to EP95117486A priority Critical patent/EP0705714A3/en
Publication of EP0630340A1 publication Critical patent/EP0630340A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0630340B1 publication Critical patent/EP0630340B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
    • B65D5/20—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper by folding-up portions connected to a central panel from all sides to form a container body, e.g. of tray-like form
    • B65D5/24—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper by folding-up portions connected to a central panel from all sides to form a container body, e.g. of tray-like form with adjacent sides interconnected by gusset folds
    • B65D5/248—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper by folding-up portions connected to a central panel from all sides to form a container body, e.g. of tray-like form with adjacent sides interconnected by gusset folds and at least one side being extended and doubled-over to enclose the adjacent gusset flaps
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
    • B42F—SHEETS TEMPORARILY ATTACHED TOGETHER; FILING APPLIANCES; FILE CARDS; INDEXING
    • B42F7/00—Filing appliances without fastening means
    • B42F7/14—Boxes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D21/00—Nestable, stackable or joinable containers; Containers of variable capacity
    • B65D21/02—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together
    • B65D21/0201—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together stackable or joined together side-by-side
    • B65D21/0204—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together stackable or joined together side-by-side and joined together by interconnecting formations forming part of the container, e.g. dove-tail, snap connections, hook elements
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D25/00—Details of other kinds or types of rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D25/005—Side walls formed with an aperture or a movable portion arranged to allow removal or insertion of contents
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
    • B65D5/20—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper by folding-up portions connected to a central panel from all sides to form a container body, e.g. of tray-like form
    • B65D5/2038—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper by folding-up portions connected to a central panel from all sides to form a container body, e.g. of tray-like form at least two opposed folded-up portions having a non-rectangular shape
    • B65D5/2042—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper by folding-up portions connected to a central panel from all sides to form a container body, e.g. of tray-like form at least two opposed folded-up portions having a non-rectangular shape triangular
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
    • B65D5/42—Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
    • B65D5/64—Lids
    • B65D5/66—Hinged lids

Definitions

  • This invention relates to filing and storage systems, such as box files and index card boxes and particularly to systems of this kind which are designed to facilitate "self assembly”.
  • a blank for constructing a box file, card index box, or the like which, in the made up form, comprises a pair of similar half shells hinged together along a common edge, the blank including a pair of base members each having outwardly extending side portions on at least three sides which can be bent up to form side walls, with the said side portions on each pair of adjacent sides being joined by an inwardly foldable connection section which is adapted to form a closed corner when the blank is folded into shape.
  • the two half shells are "mirror images" of one another and each has a pair of opposite end walls which are triangular so that the closed box exhibits a "diagonal cut” line across each end where the triangular walls meet.
  • This construction has the particular advantage, in use, that papers can be retained in either half of the box when it is open, and are not likely to fall out because each half shell has retaining walls around three sides.
  • the blank is so shaped that the inwardly folded section at each corner is retained in position by folding over it, a further outwardly extending flap portion on one of the adjacent sides.
  • a preferred form of the invention provides a blank for constructing a box file, which, in the made up form, comprises a pair of similar "half shells" hinged together along a common edge, each half shell comprising a tray like member having a base with an upstanding side wall extending along one edge, and two opposed end walls in the form of right angle triangles, the two half shells being hinged together along a line which defines the top edge of the upstanding side wall of one half shell, and the edge of the base which is opposite the upstanding side wall, of the other half shell, so that when closed, the end walls of the box show a diagonally extending line at the junction of the two half shells; the blank comprising:
  • double triangular flap herein is used to mean a flap comprising two triangular parts which are conjoined by a common side, and which are "mirror images" of one another, so that when the flap is folded along the common side, the two triangles overlap.
  • a fifth large rectangular portion attached to the "free" edge of the first large rectangular portion, and adapted to be folded over onto it, so as to finish and hold in position the sides of the first half shell, and a sixth, small rectangular portion, corresponding in size to, and connected to the free edge of, the said fourth rectangular portion, so as to correspondingly finish and hold in position the end wall and the triangular side walls of the second half shell.
  • the fifth large rectangular portion may be made with additional fold lines which enable it to be folded into a flattened box section to reinforce the free edge of the first large rectangular portion. This is particularly useful where a clip or catch is to be mounted on this edge.
  • a file storage or archive box having a generally rectangular body, one side of which comprises an opening for access to the interior of the box and is sloped relative to the opposite side; an inner sleeve or liner which fits around the interior of the box, so as to leave an opening corresponding to the opening of the box, and a cooperating lid assembly comprising a lid having cooperating side edge walls with a slope formation that complements the formation of the open side of the box, and a flap for retaining the lid in position, which is adapted to slide between the outer surface of one side of the sleeve and the inner surface of the adjacent side of the box.
  • the interior of the box may be fitted with various con igurations of horizontal shelves and/or vertical partitions, and in a preferred form of the invention, the box is reinforced by means of at least one partition which extends across the interior from one side to another, and which comprises a double layer of card.
  • the box is provided with catch means for retaining the lid in the closed condition
  • a catch member for the lid of a box or container in which the interior of the container is divided by a double walled partition that extends across the interior of the box and to the plane of the opening, a small gap being allowed between the front edge of the partition and the adjacent wall of the box; the catch member comprising a flat body portion adapted to slide into the gap, and carrying a tapered detent member which is adapted to engage in the space between the double walls of the partition, so as to prevent the catch from subsequently being pulled out.
  • a catch member for the lid of a box or container comprising an elongate body adapted to project from the inner surface of an internal wall member of the lid adjacent to one edge and having a tongue portion at its outer end which is adapted to engage behind a flange or lintel portion of a cooperating edge of the box; the catch being connected to the wall member by means of projections which extend from opposite sides of its inner end, and are adapted to lock the catch into a slot in the wall.
  • the said inner end is formed with a right-angled flange which forms one of the said projections on one side of the inner end, and one or more oppositely projecting studs or detents on the other side which are offset from the end, so that in use, the flange is passed through the said slot to engage the other side of the said wall member while the said studs or detents engage the said inner surface of the wall member.
  • the box may also be provided with a reinforcing section such as an extra "flat-box" bulkhead or lintel section along one edge and the catch may be adapted to fit behind the bulkhead or into a suitably formed aperture in the bulkhead, which helps to ensure that the box does not deform or bow around the clip.
  • a reinforcing section such as an extra "flat-box" bulkhead or lintel section along one edge and the catch may be adapted to fit behind the bulkhead or into a suitably formed aperture in the bulkhead, which helps to ensure that the box does not deform or bow around the clip.
  • the body of the catch and/or the detent member are also so shaped as to inhibit sideways movement of the catch body, relative to the partition or lid into which it is fitted.
  • the invention also extends to an interconnecting or stacking system for forming vertically and/or horizontally extending arrays of boxes such as file boxes, and comprising a plurality of connector members each comprising a body having a slot or aperture and adapted to be mounted on the wall of the box and a generally "U-secti ⁇ n" clip m having a pair of legs each of which is adapted to fit in one of the said slots, whereby, when two such connector members are suitably positioned in the adjacent walls of two corresponding boxes, they may be clipped together by inserting the legs of the clip member into the adjacent slots.
  • two types of connector member are provided, one of which is adapted to be positioned near the base of a side wall and carries a single slot or aperture, and the other of which is adapted to be positioned near the top edge of a side wall and carries a pair of slots or apertures, arranged one above the other, so that the upper slot may be used to connect the box to a "single slot” connector in the side wall of a box above it, whilst the lower slot may be used to connect the box to the lower slot of another "double-slot” connector in a corresponding position in the side wall of an adjacent box, by means of a "bridging" clip *
  • the lower slot is enlarged so as to facilitate the insertion of the clip in a lateral direction and also to allow the slot to be used as a handle for the box.
  • each connector member may be provided with interengaging formations which are adapted to co-operate with mating formations on the outer surface of a connector member of an adjacent box, so as to assist in maintaining them in their required side-by- side relationship.
  • the formations are of "male and female” types and are arranged in pairs with a male and a female member on left and right sides, (for example) , of the surface of the same connector member, so that they can co-operate with respective female and male members arranged in the same positional relationship on the outer surface of a facing connector member.
  • a closure catch particularly adapted for use with a box file, of the kind in which the walls comprise double layers of rigid material such as corrugated cardboard, the clip comprising a first body part of moulded plastics material, adapted to fit around, or in a recess of the edge of one wall of the box, and carrying a protrusion which extends in the direction of the adjacent wall to which it is to be clipped to close the box; and a second body member, adapted to fit in a recess or cut-out in the said adjacent edge, and forming a detent member which is adapted to receive the catch part of the first member.
  • a closure clip or catch member formed in this way is particularly useful for file boxes adapted to receive concertina files, for example as shown in our above International Patent Application Publication No. 90/05643, mentioned above, because the first body part of the catch member may also be provided with dependent retaining means, to engage and retain the upper edge of the rear wall of the concertina file, in position against the corresponding wall of the filing box.
  • the retaining means is formed as a swivelling clip which is rotatably mounted on the internal surface of the body of the first member of the catch, so that it can be swung clear of the rear wall of the concertina file, when it is to be inserted into, or removed from, the box file.
  • a box file of generally book like construction comprising a rear half which forms a base when the box is open, connected to a front half which forms a cover, by means of a flat "spine" member; and having an internal document retaining arm which is mounted so as to be pivotable about an axis which is adjacent to and parallel with a shorter edge of the spine, and has an outwardly extending arm portion which swings from an engaged position in which it extends over the central area of the base, to retain documents, to a released position in which it lies adjacent to and parallel with, one edge of the rear half.
  • the outer end of the arm portion terminates in a right angled portion which is arranged to lie flat on the documents in the engaged position.
  • the retaining arm is made from a relatively resilient wire material which is bent at a right angle in one plane, at one end, to form a pivot arm, and is also bent at a right angle in a substantially perpendicular plane at the other end to engage against the surface of the documents.
  • the pivot section is mounted in an arm retaining member which forms a socket or the pivot and which is fitted into a shaped aperture in the end wall of the box adjacent the spine, or in the base of the spine itself.
  • Figure 1 is a plan view of a blank for constructing a box file
  • Figure 2 is a perspective view of the blank of Figure 1, in a first, partially folded condition
  • Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the blank of Figure 1 in a further, more folded condition
  • Figure 4 shows the assembled box file, in an open condition
  • Figure 5 shows a partly disassembled view of an "archive storage” file box
  • Figure 6 shows the box of Figure 5 in a further stage of assembly
  • Figure 7 is a perspective view of a first type of archive box based on the construction of Figure 5 and 6;
  • Figure 8 is a perspective view of a second type of archive box
  • Figure 9 is a plan view of a lid catch for the type of box shown in Figures 7 and 8;
  • Figure 10 is an underneath plan view of the catch of Figure 9;
  • Figure 11 is a side edge view of the catch of Figures 9 and 10;
  • Figure 12 is a schematic edge view, corresponding to the view of Figure 11, with the catch installed in its operating condition;
  • Figure 13 is an elevational view of a first connector member of a box stacking system in accordance with the invention.
  • Figure 14 is a rear elevation view of the connector member of Figure 13;
  • Figure 15 is a vertical cross section through the connector member of Figure 13;
  • Figure 16 is a front elevational view of a second type of connector member
  • Figure 17 is a rear elevational view of the connector member of Figure 16;
  • Figure 18 is a vertical cross-section through the connector member of Figure 16;
  • Figure 19 is a front elevational view of a stacking clip for use with the connector members of Figures to 18;
  • Figure 20 is a rear elevational view of the clip of Figure 19;
  • Figure 21 is a vertical cross section through the clip of Figure 19;
  • Figure 22 is a side elevational view of a part of a stacked array of boxes, showing the clip system of Figures 13 to 21, in use;
  • Figure 23 is a diagrammatic cross-section, illustrating how the stacked box array is connected together
  • Figure 24 is a perspective view of an open box file suitable for receiving a concertina file
  • Figure 25 is a perspective view of the box file of Figure 24 in the closed condition
  • Figure 26 is a top plan view of a first part of a closure clip particularly adapted for use with the box file of Figures 24 and 25;
  • Figure 27 is an underneath plan view of the clip of Figure 26;
  • Figure 28 is a cross-section through the line XXVIII-XXVIII of Figure 26;
  • Figure 29 is a cross-section XXIX-XXIX of Figure 26;
  • Figure 30 is a cross-section through the catch of Figure 26, in a "made-up" condition
  • Figure 31 is a top plan view of a second part of a box catch, adapted to cooperate with the part shown in Figures 26 to 30;
  • Figure ' 32 Is an underneath plan view of the catch of Figure 31;
  • Figure 33 is a vertical cross-section taken along the line XXXIII-XXXIII of Figure 31;
  • Figure 34 is an end view of the catch of Figure 31 as viewed on the arrow A;
  • Figure 35 is an end view taken from the other end, on the arrow B;
  • Figure 36 is a vertical cross-section through a closed catch assembly comprising the two parts illustrated in Figures 26 to 35;
  • Figure 37 is a vertical cross-section through a retaining clip forming part of the assembly of Figure 36;
  • Figure 38 is a front view of the clip of Figure 37;
  • Figure 39 is a perspective view of a file box incorporating a document retaining arm in accordance with the invention, the box being in an open condition;
  • Figure 40 is a perspective view of the box of Figure 39 in a closed condition
  • Figure 41 is an enlarged view of part of the box of Figure 39;
  • Figure 42 is a front elevation view of an arm retaining member for the box of Figure 39 and 40;
  • Figure 43 is a vertical cross-section through the arm retaining member of Figure 42;
  • Figure 44 is an underneath plan view of the arm retaining member of Figure 42;
  • Figures 45 (a) , (b) and (c) show a modified version of the socket member of Figures 16 to 18 and
  • Figures 46 (a) , (b) and (c) show an alternative for of lid catch for the box of Figures 7 and 8.
  • Figure 1 shows a blank which is adapted to be folded to form a file box, the arrangement being such that the folded construction is inherently self supporting.
  • the blank comprises a first rectangular portion 2, corresponding to the largest profile of the assembled box, each end of which carries a "double triangular" flap 4 or 6.
  • the "double triangular" flap comprises a first triangular section 8 or 10, forming a right angle triangle, and a second section 12 or 14 which is a further triangular portion, forming a "mirror image" of the first section, and is connected to it by the hypotenuse, along which a fold line will be formed, when the box is assembled.
  • a second rectangular section 16 is connected along one long edge to the first section 2, to form the "spine" of the completed file box, and also has a "double triangular" flap formation 18, 20, at each end.
  • Each of these "double triangular" flaps connects one of the short ends of the part 16, with the adjacent short end of the corresponding right angle triangle 8 or 10, so that, when the box is assembled, these small flaps 18 and 20 fold inwardly of the box (see for example. Figure 3) .
  • a second portion 2a to form the opposite side of the box to the portion 2, is connected by one of its longest edges to the narrow section 16, and has large "double triangular" flaps 4a and 6a at each end, corresponding in arrangement to the flaps 4 and 6 of the first section 2.
  • a further narrow section 16a has small “double triangular” flaps at each end, corresponding to the smaller "double triangular” flaps of the section 16, and the blank is completed by a further narrow section 22 at one end, connected by its long edge to the section 16a, and a further large profile section 24, corresponding in size to the section 2, at the other end, and connected to it by a common edge 26.
  • the box is assembled by first folding inwardly, the small triangular flaps 18a and 20a, and then folding the outer triangles of the large triangular flaps 4a and 6a inwardly over these.
  • the extreme outer edge flap 22 is then folded inwardly to the position shown in Figure 3, so as to form a first completed "tray section", 28, comprising the "lid" of the completed file box.
  • the small "double triangular" flaps 18 and 20 are then folded inwardly, also as indicated in Figure 3, and finally the outer triangular portions 12 and 14 of the large "double triangular flaps" 4 and 6 are folded inwardly over these, to form the end walls of the "base” section of the file box.
  • the box is completed by folding the large end flap 24 inwardly, so as to be superimposed over the base 2, resulting in the completed file box of Figure 4.
  • a second type of file box is illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, and comprises a conventional type of outer shell having an opening with side flaps 30, 32 and top and bottom flaps 34 and 36, and an inner liner 38 which is inserted in the direction of the arrow A, Figure 5, to the internal position indicated in Figure 6.
  • the box is of the general kind described in our above mentioned patent application publication no. having a sloping aperture, and a co-operating lid 40, having complementary triangular end walls 40 and 42, is adapted to be fitted to the box by means of a flap 46 which slides between one side of the liner, and the corresponding internal wall of the box.
  • the interior of the box may be divided up by a central, vertically extending partition 48, and further horizontally extending dividing shelves 50, 52, whose central region is supported by the vertical partition 48, if required.
  • a catch member 54 for retaining the box in the closed—position is located in position at the top of the front edge of the internal partition 48, as described in more detail below with reference to Figures 9 to 12.
  • the box also incorporates stacking connectors 56, 58, respectively located near the top and bottom edge of each side wall, which are also described in more detail below with reference to Figures 13 to 23.
  • the upper stacking connector 56 incorporates a large aperture 60 which can be used as a handle, when the box is to be moved around manually.
  • closure clip 54 is illustrated in more detail, in Figures 9 to 12, and comprises a generally flat body 62, having an upwardly projecting tongue portion 64 at one end.
  • the central region of the catch carries a U-shaped cut-out 66 which allows the tongue portion 64 to flex downwardly, to the dashed line position indicated in Figure 12, when the edge 68 of the box lid is closed over it.
  • a tapered detent member 70 is formed on the undersurface of the catch, as indicated in Figure 11, and in use, the body of the catch is slid into a small gap which is left between the top edge of the partition 48, and the underside of the top wall 72, to occupy the position indicated in Figures 7 and 8.
  • the partition 48 is formed from a folded sheet, with the fold running along the front edge 74, so that the partition has a U-shaped cross-section as indicated by the dashed-lines 76 in Figure 10, and thus, when the catch member is inserted to its fullest extent, the tapered retaining member 70 fits inside the cross-section, and a further dependent projection 78 engages with the front vertical surface 74 of the cross-section, so that the catch is then securely located in position.
  • Further downwardly dependent "fins" 80 and 82 at the trailing edge of the catch body, extend downwardly at positions on either side of the partition section, so as to stop the catch from moving sideways.
  • Figure 13 shows a small stacking connector, adapted to be positioned at the low edge of each side of a box as illustrated in Figure 7, which comprises a flat generally triangular body, incorporating a slot 90 which is flanged as illustrated at 92 in Figure 15, so as to provide a guide for the leg of a stacking clip.
  • Three posts 94 extending rearwardly from the body of the socket member, carry arcuate flanges 96 which are adapted to engage in the corrugated material of the side wall of the box, so as to hold the connector member in position.
  • Figure 16 shows a front view of a second connector member of the kind illustrated at 56 in Figure 7, which has a larger body than the connector member 58, and is adapted to be positioned at the upper edge of the side wall of the box, as shown in Figure 7.
  • a large aperture 60 in the body of the connector member forms a handle for the side of the box, and is deeply flanged as indicated at 98 in Figure 18, so that the flange will extend right through the material of the side wall of the box, to form a stable hand grip.
  • the top and bottom edges of the flange carry a further right angled protrusion, 100, to engage the edge of the internal surface of the box, and thus hold the connector member in position.
  • a smaller slot 102 for receiving the leg of a stacking clip is formed in the upper part of the body of the connector member, so that, in use, when boxes are stacked one on top of the other, the small connector member 58 of the upper box will be positioned as indicated by the dashed lines in Figure 16, relative to the large connector member 56 of the lower box.
  • the two slots 90 and 102 are therefore brougnt into juxtaposition so that a suitably U-shaped clip member can be inserted in the adjacent slots.
  • the clip member 104 comprises a channel section, having legs 106 at each side, each of which is adapted to engage in one of the slots 90, 102 of the adjacent socket members.
  • the assembled arrangement is thus illustrated more clearly in Figure 22, where the engaged position of the clip is illustrated by the dashed lines 108.
  • FIG. 23 A vertical cross section through the adjacent edges of the two stacked boxes, showing how the clip 104 is inserted, is illustrated in Figure 23.
  • the legs 106 of the clip pass through the adjacent small slots 90, 102 of the connector members 58, 56, so as to hold the base 110 of the upper box, firmly in engagement with the top surface 112 of the lower box.
  • Figure 24 illustrates a file box 120, folded from a blank of the kind described above with reference to Figures 1 to 4, which is particularly adapted to hold a concertina file in the position indicated by the dashed outline 122, when the concertina file is extended, in the general manner described in our above mentioned International patent application published under no. 90/05643.
  • the box is provided with a catch comprising two parts 124, 126, which latch together to the closed position indicated in Figure 25, and part 126 incorporates an internal dependent retaining member 128, to fit over the top edge of the rear wall 130 of the concertina file, to hold it in position in the box.
  • Figures 26 to 30 illustrate the main body of the catch part 126 in more detail.
  • This is formed as an initially planar, injection moulded component, having a generally hexagonal outline, with two laterally extending depressions 132, 134, forming hinge regions which enable the body to be folded into a U-shaped condition, so as to embrace the edge of a box wall, as illustrated in Figure 30.
  • a cut-out 136 whose profile corresponds generally to the outline of the corresponding side of the catch, forms a tongue 138 which remains coplanar with the central portion 140 of the body of the catch, when the remainder is folded over.
  • Figure 28 is a cross-section taken through the off-axis line XXVIII-XXVIII of Figure 26, whilst Figure 29 is an axial cross-section.
  • the underside of the catch body is provided with a pair of protruding posts 142, 144, and corresponding sockets 146, 148, which are brought into engagement, as illustrated in Figure 30, when the body is folded into the position in which it engages on the edge of the side wall of the filing box.
  • corresponding apertures are formed at positions corresponding to the positions of socket 146, 148, in the side wall of the box, so as to receive the socket members and thus hold the catch in position.
  • a further post 150 positioned on the centreline of the catch body, and closer to the hinge region 132 than the other two posts-142 / 144,- is s ⁇ arranged, " tha when the catch is in the mounted position on the edge wall of the box, it faces the aperture 152 left on the inner surface of the catch after folding the body, by the material forming the tongue 138.
  • This post 150 is used to locate a concertina file retaining clip, as described in more detail below, with reference to Figures 36 to 38.
  • Figures 31 to 35 illustrate the other, cooperating part 124 of the catch, which comprises a generally "V- shaped" body, having a centrall * y recessed portion 154 which is adapted to fit into a suitably shaped cut-out wall edge, corresponding generally to the "inner V" shape of the catch body, so as to leave an opening 156 into which the tongue 138 of the catch member 126 will extend in use, as explained in more detail below.
  • the catch body is provided with suitable posts 158, to engage in apertures adjacent the edges of the cut-out of the box, so as to hold it in position.
  • the edge of the recess portion 154 is formed with an upstanding lip or flange 160, and in use, as illustrated in Figure 36, this co-operates with a mating downturned flange 162 on the tongue 138 of the other part 126 of the catch, to hold it in a closed position.
  • the edge of the tongue 138 also carries an upstanding flange 164 which can be engaged by the finger or thumb of an operator, so as to release the catch.
  • the inwardly facing post 150 on the body of the catch part 126 is adapted to receive a downwardly dependent retaining member 128, illustrated separately in Figures 37 and 38, having a socket member 172 which snaps pivotably onto the post 150, so that the upper edge of the rear wall 130 of a concertina file can be held in position, as described above with reference to Figure 24. Because the socket member 172 is pivotable on the post 150, the retaining member 128 can be swivelled out of engagement with the concertina file wall, when it is to be inserted or removed.
  • the blank of Figures 1 to 4 can also be used to make up a document file box, also incorporating a catch of the kind described above with reference to Figures 27-35.
  • the interior of the box carries a pivotable document retaining arm which is shown in its document retaining position 180 in a full outline, and in a retracted position in which papers can be inserted or removed, by the dashed outline 182.
  • the arrangement for locating the arm in position is illustrated in more detail in Figures 41 to 44.
  • a generally triangular mounting member 184 is fitted into a co-operating recess at the base of one of the triangular end wall portions 190 of the file box, and carries a pair of inwardly protruding projections 186, 188, which form an axially aligned hinge socket.
  • the document retaining clip itself comprises a fairly rigid piece of wire having a bent end portion 192 which fits pivotably into the socket members 186, 188.
  • Figure 45(a) is an elevational view of a modified form of the connector member 56 of Figures 16 and 17, in which there are additional "stud and socket” members 200, 202 on the outer face of the connector member. As shown these are located at the opposite ends of the upper face of the connector. As illustrated in the enlarged view of Figure 45(b), this enables the facing studs and sockets 200, 202 of two facing connector members, located on the facing walls of side-by-side boxes, to interengage with one another so as to assist in locking an array of stacked boxes in their proper positions.
  • stud members 204 may also be arranged on the lower part of the face of the connector, both of these being of the same size so that they abut against corresponding studs on the facing connector as shown in Figure 45(c) to maintain a constant spacing between them. This also helps to lock the assembly in position when the two connectors are bridged by a clip 114 as described above with reference to Figure 23.
  • Figure 46(a) shows an alternative form of lid closure catch to that of Figures 9 to 12, which is adapted to be mounted on the inside of the box lid rather than on the edge of the box. As shown, this has a tongue 206 which engages under the edge of a lintel of a box which could, (for example, be formed on the top front edge of the box of Figure 7) as indicated by the dashed lines 208.
  • the other end of the catch is adapted to fit through a slot in an inner wall of the lid which is diagrammatically indicated by the lines 210 of the Figure.
  • the catch has a flange 212 on one side of the end which passes through the slot, to engage the other side of the wall 210, and projections 214 offset from the end to engage the inside surface of the wall, so that it is firmly located in position.

Abstract

Une pièce permet de construire une boîte pour dossiers, un support de fichier ou des articles similaires, et en version modulaire, elle comporte deux demi-coques identiques, articulées au long d'une arête commune, et deux éléments de base (2, 2a) dont chacun est muni d'au moins trois côtés tournés vers l'extérieur (4, 6, 16; 4a, 6a, 16a) que l'on peut plier pour former des parois latérales. Les côtés (4, 6; 4a, 6a) sont reliés aux côtés adjacents (16, 16a) par un secteur repliable vers l'intérieur (18, 20; 18a, 20a) de manière à former un angle droit lorsque la pièce est mise en forme. On décrit aussi un système de connexion ou d'empilage destiné aux boîtes pour dossiers. Il comprend un dispositif (56; 58) doté d'une fente ou d'une ouverture (90; 102) et prévu pour un montage sur la paroi de la boîte, et un clip en forme de U (104), muni de branches (106) dont chacune vient s'adapter auxdites fentes (90; 102). Ainsi, lorsque deux éléments de connexion sont correctement montés sur les parois adjacentes de deux boîtes, on peut solidariser ces dernières en insérant les branches du clip dans les fentes adjacentes.One piece is used to build a box for files, a file holder or similar articles, and in a modular version, it comprises two identical half-shells, hinged along a common edge, and two base elements (2, 2a ) each of which is provided with at least three outward facing sides (4, 6, 16; 4a, 6a, 16a) which can be folded to form side walls. The sides (4, 6; 4a, 6a) are connected to the adjacent sides (16, 16a) by an inwardly folding sector (18, 20; 18a, 20a) so as to form a right angle when the piece is placed in shape. Also described is a connecting or stacking system for file boxes. It comprises a device (56; 58) provided with a slot or an opening (90; 102) and intended for mounting on the wall of the box, and a U-shaped clip (104), provided with branches (106) each of which fits into said slots (90; 102). Thus, when two connection elements are correctly mounted on the adjacent walls of two boxes, the latter can be secured by inserting the branches of the clip into the adjacent slots.

Description

"Modular Filing & Storage System"
This invention relates to filing and storage systems, such as box files and index card boxes and particularly to systems of this kind which are designed to facilitate "self assembly".
It is particularly, although not exclusively, concerned with filing and storage systems of the kind disclosed in our prior International Patent Application, Publication Nos. 90/05643 and 92/00857. These applications are concerned with filing and storage systems which provide various configurations of files and file boxes, and the present invention seeks to provide further improved configurations of articles of this kind.
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a blank for constructing a box file, card index box, or the like which, in the made up form, comprises a pair of similar half shells hinged together along a common edge, the blank including a pair of base members each having outwardly extending side portions on at least three sides which can be bent up to form side walls, with the said side portions on each pair of adjacent sides being joined by an inwardly foldable connection section which is adapted to form a closed corner when the blank is folded into shape.
Preferably the two half shells are "mirror images" of one another and each has a pair of opposite end walls which are triangular so that the closed box exhibits a "diagonal cut" line across each end where the triangular walls meet. This construction has the particular advantage, in use, that papers can be retained in either half of the box when it is open, and are not likely to fall out because each half shell has retaining walls around three sides.
Preferably, the blank is so shaped that the inwardly folded section at each corner is retained in position by folding over it, a further outwardly extending flap portion on one of the adjacent sides.
A preferred form of the invention provides a blank for constructing a box file, which, in the made up form, comprises a pair of similar "half shells" hinged together along a common edge, each half shell comprising a tray like member having a base with an upstanding side wall extending along one edge, and two opposed end walls in the form of right angle triangles, the two half shells being hinged together along a line which defines the top edge of the upstanding side wall of one half shell, and the edge of the base which is opposite the upstanding side wall, of the other half shell, so that when closed, the end walls of the box show a diagonally extending line at the junction of the two half shells; the blank comprising:
(a) a first rectangular portion forming the base of one half shell;
(b) a first pair of "double-triangular" flaps, one extending from each end of the first rectangular portion, and each being so shaped as to be foldable to form one of the said triangular end walls;
(c) a second rectangular portion, connected by a common edge to a third side of the first rectangular portion, and being narrower than the said first portion so as to form one upstanding side wall;
(d) a second pair of "double triangular" flaps connected to opposite sides of the second rectangular portion, and each of which has one side in common and connected to one corresponding side of the adjacent first "double triangular" flap;
(e) a third rectangular portion of the same size as the first rectangular portion, and adapted to form the base of the other half shell and thus the opposite side of the box; and
(f) a third pair of "double triangular" flaps extending from opposite sides of the said third rectangular portion and each being so shaped as to be foldable to form one of the said triangular end walls;
(g) a fourth rectangular portion, adapted to form the opposite side to the said second rectangular portion; and
(h) a fourth pair of "double triangular" flaps, each of which is arranged at one end of the said fourth rectangular portion, and is connected by one of its other edges to the adjacent edge of the corresponding third "double triangular" flap.
The expression "double triangular" flap herein is used to mean a flap comprising two triangular parts which are conjoined by a common side, and which are "mirror images" of one another, so that when the flap is folded along the common side, the two triangles overlap. By this means, it is possible to form particularly rigid triangular end walls on a box of the type described, and in addition, the incorporation of the smaller "double triangular" flaps joining one side of each triangular end wall, to the corresponding side of the upstanding side wall of the respective half shell, enables the corners of the box to be very neatly finished, by virtue of the cooperation of the inwardly folded small "double triangular" flap, with its adjacent large "double triangular" flap.
Preferably, in addition to the first to fourth rectangular portions which in use form the main rectangular walls of the box, there are also provided a fifth large rectangular portion, attached to the "free" edge of the first large rectangular portion, and adapted to be folded over onto it, so as to finish and hold in position the sides of the first half shell, and a sixth, small rectangular portion, corresponding in size to, and connected to the free edge of, the said fourth rectangular portion, so as to correspondingly finish and hold in position the end wall and the triangular side walls of the second half shell.
Alternatively the fifth large rectangular portion may be made with additional fold lines which enable it to be folded into a flattened box section to reinforce the free edge of the first large rectangular portion. This is particularly useful where a clip or catch is to be mounted on this edge.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a file storage or archive box having a generally rectangular body, one side of which comprises an opening for access to the interior of the box and is sloped relative to the opposite side; an inner sleeve or liner which fits around the interior of the box, so as to leave an opening corresponding to the opening of the box, and a cooperating lid assembly comprising a lid having cooperating side edge walls with a slope formation that complements the formation of the open side of the box, and a flap for retaining the lid in position, which is adapted to slide between the outer surface of one side of the sleeve and the inner surface of the adjacent side of the box.
Alternatively or additionally, the interior of the box may be fitted with various con igurations of horizontal shelves and/or vertical partitions, and in a preferred form of the invention, the box is reinforced by means of at least one partition which extends across the interior from one side to another, and which comprises a double layer of card.
Preferably, the box is provided with catch means for retaining the lid in the closed condition, and according to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a catch member for the lid of a box or container in which the interior of the container is divided by a double walled partition that extends across the interior of the box and to the plane of the opening, a small gap being allowed between the front edge of the partition and the adjacent wall of the box; the catch member comprising a flat body portion adapted to slide into the gap, and carrying a tapered detent member which is adapted to engage in the space between the double walls of the partition, so as to prevent the catch from subsequently being pulled out.
According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a catch member for the lid of a box or container comprising an elongate body adapted to project from the inner surface of an internal wall member of the lid adjacent to one edge and having a tongue portion at its outer end which is adapted to engage behind a flange or lintel portion of a cooperating edge of the box; the catch being connected to the wall member by means of projections which extend from opposite sides of its inner end, and are adapted to lock the catch into a slot in the wall.
Preferably, the said inner end is formed with a right-angled flange which forms one of the said projections on one side of the inner end, and one or more oppositely projecting studs or detents on the other side which are offset from the end, so that in use, the flange is passed through the said slot to engage the other side of the said wall member while the said studs or detents engage the said inner surface of the wall member.
The box may also be provided with a reinforcing section such as an extra "flat-box" bulkhead or lintel section along one edge and the catch may be adapted to fit behind the bulkhead or into a suitably formed aperture in the bulkhead, which helps to ensure that the box does not deform or bow around the clip.
Preferably, the body of the catch and/or the detent member are also so shaped as to inhibit sideways movement of the catch body, relative to the partition or lid into which it is fitted. The invention also extends to an interconnecting or stacking system for forming vertically and/or horizontally extending arrays of boxes such as file boxes, and comprising a plurality of connector members each comprising a body having a slot or aperture and adapted to be mounted on the wall of the box and a generally "U-sectiόn" clip m having a pair of legs each of which is adapted to fit in one of the said slots, whereby, when two such connector members are suitably positioned in the adjacent walls of two corresponding boxes, they may be clipped together by inserting the legs of the clip member into the adjacent slots.
Preferably, two types of connector member are provided, one of which is adapted to be positioned near the base of a side wall and carries a single slot or aperture, and the other of which is adapted to be positioned near the top edge of a side wall and carries a pair of slots or apertures, arranged one above the other, so that the upper slot may be used to connect the box to a "single slot" connector in the side wall of a box above it, whilst the lower slot may be used to connect the box to the lower slot of another "double-slot" connector in a corresponding position in the side wall of an adjacent box, by means of a "bridging" clip*
Preferably, the lower slot is enlarged so as to facilitate the insertion of the clip in a lateral direction and also to allow the slot to be used as a handle for the box.
In addition the outer surface of each connector member may be provided with interengaging formations which are adapted to co-operate with mating formations on the outer surface of a connector member of an adjacent box, so as to assist in maintaining them in their required side-by- side relationship. Preferably, the formations are of "male and female" types and are arranged in pairs with a male and a female member on left and right sides, (for example) , of the surface of the same connector member, so that they can co-operate with respective female and male members arranged in the same positional relationship on the outer surface of a facing connector member.
According to a further feature of the invention there is provided a closure catch particularly adapted for use with a box file, of the kind in which the walls comprise double layers of rigid material such as corrugated cardboard, the clip comprising a first body part of moulded plastics material, adapted to fit around, or in a recess of the edge of one wall of the box, and carrying a protrusion which extends in the direction of the adjacent wall to which it is to be clipped to close the box; and a second body member, adapted to fit in a recess or cut-out in the said adjacent edge, and forming a detent member which is adapted to receive the catch part of the first member.
A closure clip or catch member formed in this way is particularly useful for file boxes adapted to receive concertina files, for example as shown in our above International Patent Application Publication No. 90/05643, mentioned above, because the first body part of the catch member may also be provided with dependent retaining means, to engage and retain the upper edge of the rear wall of the concertina file, in position against the corresponding wall of the filing box. Preferably, the retaining means is formed as a swivelling clip which is rotatably mounted on the internal surface of the body of the first member of the catch, so that it can be swung clear of the rear wall of the concertina file, when it is to be inserted into, or removed from, the box file.
According to a further feature of the invention there is provided a box file of generally book like construction, comprising a rear half which forms a base when the box is open, connected to a front half which forms a cover, by means of a flat "spine" member; and having an internal document retaining arm which is mounted so as to be pivotable about an axis which is adjacent to and parallel with a shorter edge of the spine, and has an outwardly extending arm portion which swings from an engaged position in which it extends over the central area of the base, to retain documents, to a released position in which it lies adjacent to and parallel with, one edge of the rear half.
Preferably, the outer end of the arm portion terminates in a right angled portion which is arranged to lie flat on the documents in the engaged position.
Preferably the retaining arm is made from a relatively resilient wire material which is bent at a right angle in one plane, at one end, to form a pivot arm, and is also bent at a right angle in a substantially perpendicular plane at the other end to engage against the surface of the documents.
Preferably the pivot section is mounted in an arm retaining member which forms a socket or the pivot and which is fitted into a shaped aperture in the end wall of the box adjacent the spine, or in the base of the spine itself.
Some embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a plan view of a blank for constructing a box file;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the blank of Figure 1, in a first, partially folded condition;
Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the blank of Figure 1 in a further, more folded condition;
Figure 4 shows the assembled box file, in an open condition;
Figure 5 shows a partly disassembled view of an "archive storage" file box;
Figure 6 shows the box of Figure 5 in a further stage of assembly;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of a first type of archive box based on the construction of Figure 5 and 6;
Figure 8 is a perspective view of a second type of archive box;
Figure 9 is a plan view of a lid catch for the type of box shown in Figures 7 and 8;
Figure 10 is an underneath plan view of the catch of Figure 9;
Figure 11 is a side edge view of the catch of Figures 9 and 10;
Figure 12 is a schematic edge view, corresponding to the view of Figure 11, with the catch installed in its operating condition;
Figure 13 is an elevational view of a first connector member of a box stacking system in accordance with the invention;
Figure 14 is a rear elevation view of the connector member of Figure 13;
Figure 15 is a vertical cross section through the connector member of Figure 13;
Figure 16 is a front elevational view of a second type of connector member;
Figure 17 is a rear elevational view of the connector member of Figure 16;
Figure 18 is a vertical cross-section through the connector member of Figure 16;
Figure 19 is a front elevational view of a stacking clip for use with the connector members of Figures to 18; Figure 20 is a rear elevational view of the clip of Figure 19;
Figure 21 is a vertical cross section through the clip of Figure 19;
Figure 22 is a side elevational view of a part of a stacked array of boxes, showing the clip system of Figures 13 to 21, in use;
Figure 23 is a diagrammatic cross-section, illustrating how the stacked box array is connected together;
Figure 24 is a perspective view of an open box file suitable for receiving a concertina file;
Figure 25 is a perspective view of the box file of Figure 24 in the closed condition;
Figure 26 is a top plan view of a first part of a closure clip particularly adapted for use with the box file of Figures 24 and 25;
Figure 27 is an underneath plan view of the clip of Figure 26;
Figure 28 is a cross-section through the line XXVIII-XXVIII of Figure 26;
Figure 29 is a cross-section XXIX-XXIX of Figure 26;
Figure 30 is a cross-section through the catch of Figure 26, in a "made-up" condition;
Figure 31 is a top plan view of a second part of a box catch, adapted to cooperate with the part shown in Figures 26 to 30;
Figure'32 Is an underneath plan view of the catch of Figure 31;
Figure 33 is a vertical cross-section taken along the line XXXIII-XXXIII of Figure 31;
Figure 34 is an end view of the catch of Figure 31 as viewed on the arrow A; Figure 35 is an end view taken from the other end, on the arrow B;
Figure 36 is a vertical cross-section through a closed catch assembly comprising the two parts illustrated in Figures 26 to 35;
Figure 37 is a vertical cross-section through a retaining clip forming part of the assembly of Figure 36;
Figure 38 is a front view of the clip of Figure 37;
Figure 39 is a perspective view of a file box incorporating a document retaining arm in accordance with the invention, the box being in an open condition;
Figure 40 is a perspective view of the box of Figure 39 in a closed condition;
Figure 41 is an enlarged view of part of the box of Figure 39;
Figure 42 is a front elevation view of an arm retaining member for the box of Figure 39 and 40;
Figure 43 is a vertical cross-section through the arm retaining member of Figure 42;
Figure 44 is an underneath plan view of the arm retaining member of Figure 42;
Figures 45 (a) , (b) and (c) show a modified version of the socket member of Figures 16 to 18 and
Figures 46 (a) , (b) and (c) show an alternative for of lid catch for the box of Figures 7 and 8.
Referring firstly to the file box construction of Figures l to 4, Figure 1 shows a blank which is adapted to be folded to form a file box, the arrangement being such that the folded construction is inherently self supporting. The blank comprises a first rectangular portion 2, corresponding to the largest profile of the assembled box, each end of which carries a "double triangular" flap 4 or 6. The "double triangular" flap comprises a first triangular section 8 or 10, forming a right angle triangle, and a second section 12 or 14 which is a further triangular portion, forming a "mirror image" of the first section, and is connected to it by the hypotenuse, along which a fold line will be formed, when the box is assembled.
A second rectangular section 16 is connected along one long edge to the first section 2, to form the "spine" of the completed file box, and also has a "double triangular" flap formation 18, 20, at each end. Each of these "double triangular" flaps connects one of the short ends of the part 16, with the adjacent short end of the corresponding right angle triangle 8 or 10, so that, when the box is assembled, these small flaps 18 and 20 fold inwardly of the box (see for example. Figure 3) .
A second portion 2a, to form the opposite side of the box to the portion 2, is connected by one of its longest edges to the narrow section 16, and has large "double triangular" flaps 4a and 6a at each end, corresponding in arrangement to the flaps 4 and 6 of the first section 2. A further narrow section 16a has small "double triangular" flaps at each end, corresponding to the smaller "double triangular" flaps of the section 16, and the blank is completed by a further narrow section 22 at one end, connected by its long edge to the section 16a, and a further large profile section 24, corresponding in size to the section 2, at the other end, and connected to it by a common edge 26.
As can be seen from Figure 2 , the box is assembled by first folding inwardly, the small triangular flaps 18a and 20a, and then folding the outer triangles of the large triangular flaps 4a and 6a inwardly over these. The extreme outer edge flap 22 is then folded inwardly to the position shown in Figure 3, so as to form a first completed "tray section", 28, comprising the "lid" of the completed file box.
The small "double triangular" flaps 18 and 20 are then folded inwardly, also as indicated in Figure 3, and finally the outer triangular portions 12 and 14 of the large "double triangular flaps" 4 and 6 are folded inwardly over these, to form the end walls of the "base" section of the file box. The box is completed by folding the large end flap 24 inwardly, so as to be superimposed over the base 2, resulting in the completed file box of Figure 4.
A second type of file box is illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, and comprises a conventional type of outer shell having an opening with side flaps 30, 32 and top and bottom flaps 34 and 36, and an inner liner 38 which is inserted in the direction of the arrow A, Figure 5, to the internal position indicated in Figure 6.
The box is of the general kind described in our above mentioned patent application publication no. having a sloping aperture, and a co-operating lid 40, having complementary triangular end walls 40 and 42, is adapted to be fitted to the box by means of a flap 46 which slides between one side of the liner, and the corresponding internal wall of the box.
As illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, the interior of the box may be divided up by a central, vertically extending partition 48, and further horizontally extending dividing shelves 50, 52, whose central region is supported by the vertical partition 48, if required. A catch member 54 for retaining the box in the closed—position, is located in position at the top of the front edge of the internal partition 48, as described in more detail below with reference to Figures 9 to 12.
The box also incorporates stacking connectors 56, 58, respectively located near the top and bottom edge of each side wall, which are also described in more detail below with reference to Figures 13 to 23. As can be seen from the figures, the upper stacking connector 56 incorporates a large aperture 60 which can be used as a handle, when the box is to be moved around manually.
The construction of the closure clip 54 is illustrated in more detail, in Figures 9 to 12, and comprises a generally flat body 62, having an upwardly projecting tongue portion 64 at one end. The central region of the catch carries a U-shaped cut-out 66 which allows the tongue portion 64 to flex downwardly, to the dashed line position indicated in Figure 12, when the edge 68 of the box lid is closed over it.
A tapered detent member 70 is formed on the undersurface of the catch, as indicated in Figure 11, and in use, the body of the catch is slid into a small gap which is left between the top edge of the partition 48, and the underside of the top wall 72, to occupy the position indicated in Figures 7 and 8. The partition 48 is formed from a folded sheet, with the fold running along the front edge 74, so that the partition has a U-shaped cross-section as indicated by the dashed-lines 76 in Figure 10, and thus, when the catch member is inserted to its fullest extent, the tapered retaining member 70 fits inside the cross-section, and a further dependent projection 78 engages with the front vertical surface 74 of the cross-section, so that the catch is then securely located in position. Further downwardly dependent "fins" 80 and 82, at the trailing edge of the catch body, extend downwardly at positions on either side of the partition section, so as to stop the catch from moving sideways.
Parts of the box stacking system are illustrated in more detail, in Figures 13 to 23. Figure 13 shows a small stacking connector, adapted to be positioned at the low edge of each side of a box as illustrated in Figure 7, which comprises a flat generally triangular body, incorporating a slot 90 which is flanged as illustrated at 92 in Figure 15, so as to provide a guide for the leg of a stacking clip. Three posts 94, extending rearwardly from the body of the socket member, carry arcuate flanges 96 which are adapted to engage in the corrugated material of the side wall of the box, so as to hold the connector member in position.
Figure 16 shows a front view of a second connector member of the kind illustrated at 56 in Figure 7, which has a larger body than the connector member 58, and is adapted to be positioned at the upper edge of the side wall of the box, as shown in Figure 7. A large aperture 60 in the body of the connector member, forms a handle for the side of the box, and is deeply flanged as indicated at 98 in Figure 18, so that the flange will extend right through the material of the side wall of the box, to form a stable hand grip. The top and bottom edges of the flange carry a further right angled protrusion, 100, to engage the edge of the internal surface of the box, and thus hold the connector member in position.
A smaller slot 102 for receiving the leg of a stacking clip, is formed in the upper part of the body of the connector member, so that, in use, when boxes are stacked one on top of the other, the small connector member 58 of the upper box will be positioned as indicated by the dashed lines in Figure 16, relative to the large connector member 56 of the lower box. The two slots 90 and 102 are therefore brougnt into juxtaposition so that a suitably U-shaped clip member can be inserted in the adjacent slots.
As shown in Figures 19 to 21, the clip member 104 comprises a channel section, having legs 106 at each side, each of which is adapted to engage in one of the slots 90, 102 of the adjacent socket members. The assembled arrangement is thus illustrated more clearly in Figure 22, where the engaged position of the clip is illustrated by the dashed lines 108.
A vertical cross section through the adjacent edges of the two stacked boxes, showing how the clip 104 is inserted, is illustrated in Figure 23. In the inserted position, the legs 106 of the clip pass through the adjacent small slots 90, 102 of the connector members 58, 56, so as to hold the base 110 of the upper box, firmly in engagement with the top surface 112 of the lower box. As will be seen from the lower part of the figure, it is also possible to connect the lower box in a side-to-side relationship with another, corresponding box, by means of a further clip 114 which is inserted in a horizontal orientation, with its leg 116 straddling the base of the large, handle forming socket 60, so that the other leg 118 extends outwardly to a position in which it can be correspondingly engaged with the socket 60 of another connector member 56 on an adjacent box. In this way, a large array of inter-connected boxes, extending both horizontally and vertically, can be built up.
Figure 24 illustrates a file box 120, folded from a blank of the kind described above with reference to Figures 1 to 4, which is particularly adapted to hold a concertina file in the position indicated by the dashed outline 122, when the concertina file is extended, in the general manner described in our above mentioned International patent application published under no. 90/05643. The box is provided with a catch comprising two parts 124, 126, which latch together to the closed position indicated in Figure 25, and part 126 incorporates an internal dependent retaining member 128, to fit over the top edge of the rear wall 130 of the concertina file, to hold it in position in the box.
Figures 26 to 30 illustrate the main body of the catch part 126 in more detail. This is formed as an initially planar, injection moulded component, having a generally hexagonal outline, with two laterally extending depressions 132, 134, forming hinge regions which enable the body to be folded into a U-shaped condition, so as to embrace the edge of a box wall, as illustrated in Figure 30. A cut-out 136, whose profile corresponds generally to the outline of the corresponding side of the catch, forms a tongue 138 which remains coplanar with the central portion 140 of the body of the catch, when the remainder is folded over.
Cross-sections through the catch body, before it is folded over, are illustrated at two different axial regions, in Figures 28 and 29. Figure 28 is a cross-section taken through the off-axis line XXVIII-XXVIII of Figure 26, whilst Figure 29 is an axial cross-section. As can be seen from the drawings, and particularly Figure 27, the underside of the catch body is provided with a pair of protruding posts 142, 144, and corresponding sockets 146, 148, which are brought into engagement, as illustrated in Figure 30, when the body is folded into the position in which it engages on the edge of the side wall of the filing box. It will be appreciated that corresponding apertures are formed at positions corresponding to the positions of socket 146, 148, in the side wall of the box, so as to receive the socket members and thus hold the catch in position.
A further post 150, positioned on the centreline of the catch body, and closer to the hinge region 132 than the other two posts-142/ 144,- is sσ arranged," tha when the catch is in the mounted position on the edge wall of the box, it faces the aperture 152 left on the inner surface of the catch after folding the body, by the material forming the tongue 138. This post 150 is used to locate a concertina file retaining clip, as described in more detail below, with reference to Figures 36 to 38.
Figures 31 to 35 illustrate the other, cooperating part 124 of the catch, which comprises a generally "V- shaped" body, having a centrall *y recessed portion 154 which is adapted to fit into a suitably shaped cut-out wall edge, corresponding generally to the "inner V" shape of the catch body, so as to leave an opening 156 into which the tongue 138 of the catch member 126 will extend in use, as explained in more detail below. Once again, the catch body is provided with suitable posts 158, to engage in apertures adjacent the edges of the cut-out of the box, so as to hold it in position.
As illustrated in Figures 31 and 35, the latter being an axial view on the arrow B of Figure 31, the edge of the recess portion 154 is formed with an upstanding lip or flange 160, and in use, as illustrated in Figure 36, this co-operates with a mating downturned flange 162 on the tongue 138 of the other part 126 of the catch, to hold it in a closed position. The edge of the tongue 138 also carries an upstanding flange 164 which can be engaged by the finger or thumb of an operator, so as to release the catch. It will be appreciated that in use, as a result of the complementary sloped formations 166, 168, on the faces of the mating edges 162 and 160, the catch will automatically "snap" into the closed position, when the two wall edges are brought together.
As mentioned above particularly with reference to Figure 30, the inwardly facing post 150 on the body of the catch part 126 is adapted to receive a downwardly dependent retaining member 128, illustrated separately in Figures 37 and 38, having a socket member 172 which snaps pivotably onto the post 150, so that the upper edge of the rear wall 130 of a concertina file can be held in position, as described above with reference to Figure 24. Because the socket member 172 is pivotable on the post 150, the retaining member 128 can be swivelled out of engagement with the concertina file wall, when it is to be inserted or removed.
As illustrated in Figures 39 and 40, the blank of Figures 1 to 4 can also be used to make up a document file box, also incorporating a catch of the kind described above with reference to Figures 27-35. The interior of the box carries a pivotable document retaining arm which is shown in its document retaining position 180 in a full outline, and in a retracted position in which papers can be inserted or removed, by the dashed outline 182. The arrangement for locating the arm in position is illustrated in more detail in Figures 41 to 44. A generally triangular mounting member 184 is fitted into a co-operating recess at the base of one of the triangular end wall portions 190 of the file box, and carries a pair of inwardly protruding projections 186, 188, which form an axially aligned hinge socket. As illustrated in Figure 41, the document retaining clip itself comprises a fairly rigid piece of wire having a bent end portion 192 which fits pivotably into the socket members 186, 188.
Figure 45(a) is an elevational view of a modified form of the connector member 56 of Figures 16 and 17, in which there are additional "stud and socket" members 200, 202 on the outer face of the connector member. As shown these are located at the opposite ends of the upper face of the connector. As illustrated in the enlarged view of Figure 45(b), this enables the facing studs and sockets 200, 202 of two facing connector members, located on the facing walls of side-by-side boxes, to interengage with one another so as to assist in locking an array of stacked boxes in their proper positions. As illustrated further stud members 204 may also be arranged on the lower part of the face of the connector, both of these being of the same size so that they abut against corresponding studs on the facing connector as shown in Figure 45(c) to maintain a constant spacing between them. This also helps to lock the assembly in position when the two connectors are bridged by a clip 114 as described above with reference to Figure 23.
Figure 46(a) shows an alternative form of lid closure catch to that of Figures 9 to 12, which is adapted to be mounted on the inside of the box lid rather than on the edge of the box. As shown, this has a tongue 206 which engages under the edge of a lintel of a box which could, (for example, be formed on the top front edge of the box of Figure 7) as indicated by the dashed lines 208. The other end of the catch is adapted to fit through a slot in an inner wall of the lid which is diagrammatically indicated by the lines 210 of the Figure. It will be seen that the catch has a flange 212 on one side of the end which passes through the slot, to engage the other side of the wall 210, and projections 214 offset from the end to engage the inside surface of the wall, so that it is firmly located in position.

Claims

1. A blank for constructing a box file, card index box, or the like which, in the made up form comprises a pair of similar half shells hinged together along a common edge, the blank including a pair of base members (2, 2a) each having outwardly extending side portions (4, 6, 16; 4a, 6a. 16a) on at least three sides which can be bent up to form side walls, with each side portion (4, 6; 4a, 6a) being joined to the adjacent side portion (16, 16a) by an inwardly foldable connection section (18, 20; 18a, 20a) which is adapted to form a right angled corner when the blank is folded into shape.
2. A blank according to claim l in which the two half shells are "mirror images" of one another and each has a pair of opposite side walls which are triangular and one which is rectangular so that the enclosed box exhibits a "diagonal cut" line across each end where the triangular walls of the two half shells meet.
3. A blank according to claim 2 in which the said pair of base members are joined by one outwardly extending side portion which forms a shared side wall between them, and to which they are joined on opposite sides.
4. A blank according to any preceding claim in which the inwardly folded section at each corner is retained in position by folding over it, a further outwardly extending flap portion on one of the adjacent sides.
5. A blank of card or like material for constructing a box file, which, in the made up form, comprises a pair of similar "half shells" hinged together along a common edge. each half shell comprising a tray like member having a base with an upstanding side wall extending along one edge, and two opposed end walls in the form of right angle triangles, the two half shells being hinged together along a line which defines the top edge of the upstanding side wall of one half shell, and the edge of the base which is opposite the upstanding side wall, of the other half shell, so that when closed, the end walls of the box show a diagonally extending line at the junction of the two half shells; the blank comprising:
(a) a first rectangular portion forming the base of one half shell;
(b) a first pair of "double-triangular" flaps, one extending from each end of the first rectangular portion, and each being so shaped as to be foldable to form one of the said triangular end walls;
(c) a second rectangular portion, connected by a common edge to a third side of the first rectangular portion, and being narrower than the said first portion so as to form one upstanding side wall;
(d) a second pair of "double triangular" flaps connected to opposite sides of the second rectangular portion, and each of which has one side in common and connected to one corresponding side of the adjacent first "double triangular" flap;
(e) a third rectangular portion of the same size as the first rectangular portion, and adapted to form the base of the other half shell and thus the opposite side of the box; and
(f) a third pair of "double triangular" flaps extending from opposite sides of the said third rectangular portion and each being so shaped as to be foldable to form one of the said triangular end walls;
(g) a fourth rectangular portion, adapted to form the opposite side to the said second rectangular portion; and
(h) a fourth pair of "double triangular" flaps, each of which is arranged at one end of the said fourth rectangular portion, and is connected by one of its other edges to the adjacent edge of the corresponding third "double triangular" flap.
6. A blank according to claim 5 further comprising a fifth large rectangular portion, attached to a "free" edge of the first large rectangular portion, and adapted to be folded over onto it, so as to finish and hold in position the sides of the first half shell, and a sixth, small rectangular portion, corresponding in size to, and connected to the free edge of, the said fourth rectangular portion, so as to correspondingly finish and hold in position the end wall and the triangular side walls of the second half shell.
7. A blank according to claim 6 in which the fifth large rectangular portion is made with additional fold lines to enable it to be folded into a flattened box section to reinforce the free edge of the first large rectangular portion.
8. A file storage or archive box having a generally rectangular body, one side of which comprises an opening for access to the interior of the box and is sloped relative to the opposite side; an inner sleeve or liner which fits around the interior of the box, so as to leave an opening corresponding to the opening of the box, and a cooperating lid assembly comprising a lid having cooperating side edge walls with a slope formation that complements the formation of the open side of the box, and a flap for retaining the lid in position, which is adapted to slide between the outer surface of one side of the sleeve and the inner surface of the adjacent side of the box.
9. A storage box according to claim 8 further comprising at least one internal partition which extends across the interior from one side to the other, and
•comprises a double layer of card.
10. A catch member for the lid of a box or container in which the interior of the container is divided by a double walled partition that extends across the interior of the box and to the plane of the opening, a small gap being allowed between the front edge of the partition and the adjacent wall of the box; the catch member comprising a flat body portion adapted to slide into the gap, and carrying a tapered detent member which is adapted to engage in the space between the double walls of the partition, so as to prevent the catch from subsequently being pulled out.
11. A catch member for the lid of a box or container comprising an elongate body adapted to project from the inner surface of an internal wall member of the lid adjacent to one edge and having a tongue portion at its outer end which is adapted to engage behind a flange or lintel portion of a cooperating edge of the box; the catch being connected to the wall member by means of projections which extend from opposite sides of its inner end, and are adapted to lock the catch into a slot in the wall.
12. A catch according to claim 11 in which the said inner end is formed with a right-angled flange which forms one of the said projections on one side of the inner end, and one or more oppositely projecting studs or detents on the other side which are offset from the end, so that in use, the flange is passed through the said slot to engage the other side of the said wall member while the said studs or detents engage the said inner surface of the wall member.
13. An interconnecting or stacking system for forming vertically and/or horizontally extending arrays of boxes such as file boxes, and comprising a plurality of connector members each comprising a body (56; 58) having a slot or aperture (90; 102) and adapted to be mounted on the wall of the box and a generally "U-section" clip member (104) , having a pair of legs (106) each of which is adapted to fit in one of the said slots (90; 102), whereby, when two such connector members are suitably positioned in the adjacent walls of two corresponding boxes, they may be clipped together by inserting the legs of the clip member into the adjacent slots.
14. A stacking system according to claim 13 in which two types of connector member are provided, one of which is adapted to be positioned near the base of a side wall and carries a single slot or aperture, and the other of which is adapted to be positioned near the top edge of a side wall and carries a pair of slots or apertures, arranged one above the other, so that the upper slot may be used to connect the box to a "single slot" connector in the side wall of a box above it, whilst the lower slot may be used to connect the box to the lower slot of another "double-slot" connector in a corresponding position in the side wall of an adjacent box, by means of a "bridging" clip.
15. A connector member adapted to form a handle for a box, and comprising a first slot or recess which is large enough to be used as a handle and/or to receive the leg of a joining clip for connection to an adjacent box, and a second slot or recess arranged above the first slot and adapted to receive the leg of a joining clip for connecting the box to another box stacked above it.
16. A connector member according to claim 15 further comprising interengaging formations which are adapted to co¬ operate with mating formations on the outer surface of a corresponding connector member of an adjacent box, so as to assist in maintaining them in their required side-by-side relationship.
17. A connector member according to claim 16 in which th formations are of "male and female" types and are so arranged in pairs on the surface of each same socket member, that they can co-operate with respective female and male members arranged in the same positional relationship on the outer surface of a facing connector member.
18. A closure catch for a box file comprising a first body part of moulded plastics material, adapted to fit around, or in a recess of the edge of one wall of the box, and carrying a protrusion which extends in the direction of the adjacent wall to which it is to be clipped to close the box; and a second body member, adapted to fit in a recess or cut-out in the said adjacent edge, and forming a detent member which is adapted to receive the catch part of the first member, also comprising retaining means extending inside the box for holding an internal file in position.
19. A closure catch according to claim 18 in which the said retaining means is formed as a swivelling clip which is rotatably mounted on the inner side of the first member so that it can be swung to and from the retaining position to allow insertion and removal of the internal file.
EP93906692A 1992-03-20 1993-03-18 Modular filling and storage system Expired - Lifetime EP0630340B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP95117486A EP0705714A3 (en) 1992-03-20 1993-03-18 Modular filing & storage system

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB929206049A GB9206049D0 (en) 1992-03-20 1992-03-20 Modular filing & storage system
GB9206049 1992-03-20
PCT/GB1993/000553 WO1993018977A2 (en) 1992-03-20 1993-03-18 Modular filling and storage system

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP95117486.1 Division-Into 1993-03-18

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0630340A1 true EP0630340A1 (en) 1994-12-28
EP0630340B1 EP0630340B1 (en) 1997-02-19

Family

ID=10712482

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP95117486A Withdrawn EP0705714A3 (en) 1992-03-20 1993-03-18 Modular filing & storage system
EP93906692A Expired - Lifetime EP0630340B1 (en) 1992-03-20 1993-03-18 Modular filling and storage system

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP95117486A Withdrawn EP0705714A3 (en) 1992-03-20 1993-03-18 Modular filing & storage system

Country Status (10)

Country Link
US (1) US5620243A (en)
EP (2) EP0705714A3 (en)
JP (1) JP3187051B2 (en)
AU (2) AU675423B2 (en)
CA (1) CA2132425C (en)
DE (2) DE69308206T2 (en)
ES (2) ES2089996T1 (en)
GB (1) GB9206049D0 (en)
RU (1) RU2112660C1 (en)
WO (1) WO1993018977A2 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU3760093A (en) 1993-10-21
GB9206049D0 (en) 1992-05-06
JP3187051B2 (en) 2001-07-11
WO1993018977A3 (en) 1994-03-03
DE69308206T2 (en) 1997-06-05
ES2089996T1 (en) 1996-10-16
EP0630340B1 (en) 1997-02-19
RU94041736A (en) 1996-09-10
DE705714T1 (en) 1996-11-07
RU2112660C1 (en) 1998-06-10
EP0705714A2 (en) 1996-04-10
US5620243A (en) 1997-04-15
AU675423B2 (en) 1997-02-06
ES2100529T3 (en) 1997-06-16
DE69308206D1 (en) 1997-03-27
WO1993018977A2 (en) 1993-09-30
EP0705714A3 (en) 1996-05-29
JPH07504638A (en) 1995-05-25
CA2132425A1 (en) 1993-09-30
AU7413696A (en) 1997-02-06
CA2132425C (en) 2000-01-04

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